GOP newcomer gets free pass to county commission

Published: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 02:02 PM.

Q. If the
Garden Parkway
isn’t built, what else should be done to address transportation needs in
Gaston
County
?

A. The Interstate 85 and U.S. 321 interchange has to be addressed. I think it’s also imperative to have another crossing over the river into Mecklenburg County to help with congestion on U.S. 74 and I-85, although I think it would be best if it isn't a toll road. This would also help with future economic development. On a larger level, we have to work with our state legislators to get the politics in Raleigh out of the process.

Q. Do you believe tougher voter ID laws are needed in
Gaston
County
and across the state? Why or why not?

A. Yes! Today, presenting an ID is a normal process in our daily lives. One cannot write a check, open a bank account, fill a prescription, board an airplane, obtain a fishing license, have your utilities turned on, or even attend a Beverly Purdue fundraiser without showing photo ID. Everyone should have the opportunity to express their right to vote. However, assuring the integrity of our electoral participation is an important cornerstone for maintaining our democracy.

Q. If the choice were raising taxes or cutting the budget and removing services, what would you do? Please be specific on what you would cut.

A. My first thought would be to reduce the size of government. The fact is, we need to make some bold decisions. We need to explore the option of privatizing services that could be more efficiently offered by the private sector and merging departments that serve the same people and have similar functions. In tough economic times, county government has to think outside the box and cut back the same way businesses have had to.

Q. What would you do to help create new jobs in GastonCounty?

A. This has to be the commission's top priority for the foreseeable future. Our unemployment rate is unacceptable and even more are underemployed. First, we have to look at ways to make it easier to do business in Gaston County. We need to make sure we have a competitive tax rate that encourages investment in Gaston County. We also need to work with our local, existing businesses to encourage growth from within as well as recruiting new industry.

Q. If the Garden Parkway isn’t built, what else should be done to address transportation needs in GastonCounty?

A. The Interstate 85 and U.S. 321 interchange has to be addressed. I think it’s also imperative to have another crossing over the river into Mecklenburg County to help with congestion on U.S. 74 and I-85, although I think it would be best if it isn't a toll road. This would also help with future economic development. On a larger level, we have to work with our state legislators to get the politics in Raleigh out of the process.

Q. Do you believe tougher voter ID laws are needed in GastonCounty and across the state? Why or why not?

A. Yes! Today, presenting an ID is a normal process in our daily lives. One cannot write a check, open a bank account, fill a prescription, board an airplane, obtain a fishing license, have your utilities turned on, or even attend a Beverly Purdue fundraiser without showing photo ID. Everyone should have the opportunity to express their right to vote. However, assuring the integrity of our electoral participation is an important cornerstone for maintaining our democracy.